Re: What is SGML?

[Jim Gardner <jag -at- RAHUL -dot- NET>]

SGML is the parent of HTML, which is a Document Type Definition (DTD)
of its parent. There're many many texts on the Web about SGML and HTML,
so I won't go into the details. Try searching Yahoo! or elsewhere for both
terms.

The emergence of dynamic HTML (DHTML) and XML languages in 1997 make
this an easier disctinction to understand.

Jim Gardner


At 02:36 PM 8/8/97 +0100, Geoff Lane wrote:
>On 8 August 1997, Carlolyn Haley (<dcma -at- MAIL1 -dot- NAI -dot- NET>) wrote:
>>
>> I learned yesterday that the book typesetting I was doing on an ArborText
>> was in fact SGML, a great thing to have on my resume. Would someone
>please
>> tell me what SGML is and how it differs from typestting and relates to
>HTML?
>>
>
>I'm no expert but, hopefully, someone more knowledgeable than I will
>correct any errors:
>
>(S)tructured (G)eneralized (M)arkup (L)anguage:
>In SGML, you mark up a document by tagging it to denote the document's
>structure.  The tags appear very similar to HTML tags; they are delimited
>by angle-brackets, e.g. <P>.  It's not surprising that SGML tags appear
>similar to HTML; HTML is an SGML application.
>
>All SGML applications use Document Type Definitions (DTD's) to define
>valid document structure.  Each industry has its own favourites, e.g.
>DocBook, and various ISO DTD's.  These definitions are separate files which
>the SGML software applies to each document in the document class.  BTW,
>HTML uses DTD's but they are embedded within the browser.
>
>Note that DTD's only define valid structure; they contain no typographical,
>or other, formatting information.  You specify a document format using
>Document Style and Semantics Specification Language (DSSSL), or other
>formatting specification.  This way you can format a document specifically
>for the purpose to hand, e.g. you'd use  different DSSSL specifications for
>printed copy and on-line documentation.
>
>I, for one, would like to know a lot more about the subject.  Not only is
>it good for your CV, it appears to be an extremely powerful route to
>platform and software independence.
>
>My two-penny-worth.
>
>
>Geoff Lane
>(geoff -at- gjctech -dot- force9 -dot- net)
>Languages with GOTO's are Wirth-less !
>
> TECHWR-L (Technical Communication) List Information: To send a message
>to 2500+ readers, e-mail to TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU -dot-  Send commands
>   to LISTSERV -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU (e.g. HELP or SIGNOFF TECHWR-L).
>  Search the archives at http://www.documentation.com/  or search and
>browse the archives at http://listserv.okstate.edu/archives/techwr-l.html
>
>

 TECHWR-L (Technical Communication) List Information: To send a message
to 2500+ readers, e-mail to TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU -dot-  Send commands
   to LISTSERV -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU (e.g. HELP or SIGNOFF TECHWR-L).
  Search the archives at http://www.documentation.com/  or search and
browse the archives at http://listserv.okstate.edu/archives/techwr-l.html